This web page is designed to give teachers and educators a more in-depth look at the services I can offer your school. It is by no means exhaustive, as I am very happy to custom design a presentation to meet your requirements.

Background

I have been involved in medieval re-enactment and living history for well over 20 years, focusing mainly on the dark ages, early medieval and high middle ages. I have been manufacturing authentic medieval armour for over 40 years and have built full scale working medieval siege engines such as trebuchets and ballistae. I am currently studying a double history major at the University of New England. I have worked in providing medieval history education for several years in Victoria, and after relocating back to my home town – Adelaide in 2010, I am now providing this service to South Australian schools.

As an alternative to classroom lecture based teaching, I offer a different approach to medieval history. This approach stems from my own curiosity as a child when I wanted to know what it would be like to wear chainmail armour, so I figured out how to make it and did exactly that. Since then I have continued to expand my own knowledge through, what is now called “practical archaeology”, making my own historical clothing, jewelry, equipment, arms and armour. This depth of knowledge and experience I offer to your students in a series of interactive presentations where the students are encouraged to join in, ask questions, and try for themselves. Many of these presentations are delivered “in character” to better bring the history alive for your students.

Flexible bookings ranging from just single subjects, to full day medieval encampments and even multiple visits, allow you to tailor how you would like to deliver the content to your students.

I visit your school so you don’t have the hassles and costs of organizing excursions.

I am also happy to develop presentations based on subjects you suggest. If there is a topic you would like me to present to meet a particular curriculum requirement, I’m happy to put a presentation together for you.

What do the students think?

​From a recent school magazine...

Year 8 History students attended an interactive Medieval Presentation held by a medieval armour smith. The three presenters introduced us to different armour suits throughout the Middle Ages and what weapons they made to shield people. We were shown the weapons that were used during this time. They ranged from swords to axes to spears and shields. We were also introduced to catapults, slingshots and what they called ‘extra arms’. We found the presentation very interesting and we learned a lot about the armour and weapons they used in the medieval times. It was great to see what knights and soldiers wore back in medieval times because it was like we were really there. The presenters of the medieval performance made it very interactive by selecting volunteers to dress up and pull the catapults. It was a very engaging performance and we are very appreciative of how much time and effort they put into speaking to us.

- Lili, Jenifer, Emma and Jenna, 2016

From A recent School web newsletter....

Bringing history alive for our Year 8 students! English and Humanities just became a whole lot more interesting with students experiencing medieval history with armour and a weapons display at the College. Thanks to 'Fire Bear's Emporium' - www.firebear.com.au, students engaged in a fun and interactive presentation allowing them to experience teaching outside of the classroom and learning history on a whole new level.

Students met face-to-face with characters wearing medieval costume and real-life armour with the opportunity to try pieces on to see how real, handmade armour actually works and the benefits and limitations.

The weapons display provided students with a live demonstration of what real medieval weapons are capable of. Strictly supervised for safety, students were allowed to participate so they could appreciate the heft and weight of these weapons and understand the skill and training required to use them effectively on the medieval battlefield.

Siege Engines (a device that is designed to hurl projectiles to break or circumvent heavy castle doors, thick city walls and other fortifications in siege warfare) graced the oval with these working-scale models being used to demonstrate the history, use, craftsmanship, mechanics and physics of these various types of weaponry.

Thank you to our presenters who educated and entertained our students on a fascinating era.​